ROTARY INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAMME
Districts 9910, 9920, 9930, 9940, 9970 and 9980 - New Zealand

Objectives of the Programme

To further international goodwill and understanding by enabling students to experience first hand life in a country different from their own.

To enable students:

• To advance their education by studying for a year in an environment different from their own and in courses not normally available to them in their home country schools
• To broaden their outlook by living with, and meeting people of different cultures, creeds and backgrounds than their own; and by having to cope with day-to-day problems in an environment completely different from their home experience
• To act as ambassadors for their own country by addressing Rotary Clubs, community organizations and youth groups in their host country and by imparting as much knowledge as they can of their own country and its current issues
• To study and observe all facets of life and culture in the country where they are hosted and on their return to their home country to discuss their experiences and knowledge gained with Rotary Clubs, schools, youth groups and community organizations

What is it about?

• A year's study at school abroad with the purpose of promoting international understanding and goodwill
• The opportunity for students to meet, mix with and participate in activities with people of their own age
• The opportunity to live with several families and experience the culture and language of that country first hand
  
   

How to qualify:

• Be aged at least 16 and under 18 at 15 January of year of departure
• Have passed school certificate at time of departure
• Be a New Zealand citizen - (born in New Zealand or naturalized)
• Be medically fit, with no serious medical conditions
• Have the ability to be an excellent ambassador for New Zealand
• Be adaptable and capable of comfortably living with up to four different host families in host district overseas
• Undertake to abide by Youth Exchange Rules relating to drugs, driving, drinking and dating and accept host parent controls

 Cost:

• Have sufficient financial resources to cover total expenditure over the year away which can vary between a low of NZ$10,000 and a high of NZ$20,000 according to parents/students budget.
• Costs are for airfares, insurance, souvenirs, gifts, clothing, optional travel, toll calls, postage, orientation and general expenses. Overall cost will depend upon country of exchange, host generosity and your own willpower. Initial cost prior to departure and on arrival is between NZ$4,000 and NZ$6,000 with rest incurred over the year away.

Selection and Travel Programme

• Complete the Initial appliaction form and forward to the nearest Rotary Club before the end of MARCH. This application will be for an exchange commencing in January of the following year. Application MUST be made to a Rotary club in your local area. See details below.
• Applicants are required to attend local club, area and district selection sessions during March - May
• Once selected by District, successful students are required to complete a detailed Rotary International application form which is then sent to a Host District in countries such as:
  Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Holland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United States of America (Exchange countries vary between RotaryDistrict)
• Only after acceptance by an overseas Rotary Club does the student become an official Rotary Youth Exchange Student
• Students are required to attend a Marae cultural weekend
• Students and parents are required to attend an orientation session (may be for a weekend)
• Students depart January and return early January the following year
• Students and parents attend a debriefing session on return January/February

Rotary International Provides:

• Selection, orientation and administration of programme
• School, host Rotary club and families in selected overseas districts
• Nominal monthly allowance of approximately US$50
• Various activities with other Rotary Exchange Students in Host District - often includes extensive summer tour (at your cost - Between $2000 - $3500)
• Opportunity for activities with host club and club members

How to apply:

Initial application form:     click here to download an application form (You will need adobe Acrobat Viewer-)

Submit  your application or questions  to a Rotary Club in your area
(see the definition of Rotary Districts below and obtain contact details via the websites provided.)

Apply to the Rotary District in which you live:

Privacy 
Every student and their parent(s) who complete the initial application consent to the collection of personal information concerning them for the purpose of applying for acceptance as a Rotary International Exchange Student and consent to the disclosure of all the information in the initial and formal application forms to Rotarians, potential host families, Rotary Clubs and Rotary District Committees both in New Zealand and overseas.